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Well, this is massive: Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton announced Saturday afternoon that she would push a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission, a landmark (and divisive) 2010 Supreme Court ruling that allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections. And she plans to do so within her first 30 days in office. While it's likely she's trying to win some support from those who were Team Bernie, her goal could mean a much bigger political voice for women and minorities.
Clinton's announcement came via video message at the politically progressive Netroots Nation annual conference in St. Louis. In her speech, she said the amendment would "give the American people—all of us—the chance to reclaim our democracy."
And it would be big for normal folk: The Citizens United vs. FEC decision ruled that corporate spending in politics is a form of free speech, and it was the driving force behind the creation of super PACs (political action committees, A.K.A. lobbyists), which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money to advocate for or against political candidates and policies.
Speaking of corporations, here are some demographic statistics about who leads them: In January 2015, 95.2 percent of Fortune 500 companies were led by men, and 99.99 percent (that is a real figure, not hyperbole) were owned by white people.
Now, we're not saying that all of them are involved with super PACs, or that all of them advocate for interests that would only benefit the patriarchy and one percent (#NotAllCEOs). Indeed, some major companies are getting really political about progressive social issues. But the numbers do sketch a portrait of those who, if they choose, can spend a ton of money via their corporations to influence political policy.
By taking away unlimited spending for these corporations to dole out to their favorite special interests, the proverbial ball would be back (well, at least more back) in the American people's court—and the voices of 51 million women and minority groups voting in coming elections could be heard that much louder.
In addition to the amendment, a Clinton spokesperson said that Clinton would also sign an executive order requiring companies with federal contracts to disclose their political spending. In her video announcement, she also said she would nominate Supreme Court justices "who understand that this decision was a disaster for our democracy."
Some say another big reason behind the announcement was for Clinton to win the backing of former Bernie Sanders supporters—overturning the Citizens United decision was a major platform cornerstone for the Vermont senator. Sanders officially endorsed Clinton this past week.
"Now, I know many of the people in this room supported Senator Sanders in the primary. I'm looking forward to hearing from you, learning from you, and working with you," Clinton said in the video. "You've helped put political and campaign finance reform at the top of the national agenda and I intend to keep it there."
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Source: http://www.glamour.com/story/hillary-clinton-citizens-united
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